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        Windows CE 5.0-based PMP records video

        Jonathan Angel | Date: Feb 4, 2008 | Comments: 1


        Diasonic has introduced a new portable media player that runs Windows CE 5.0 Professional on a TI system-on-chip (SoC) with RISC and DSP cores. The DPM-430 has a 4.3-inch touchscreen display, a TV tuner, and a 30GB or 60GB hard drive.



        (Click here for a larger view of the Diasonic DPM-430)

        The DPM-430 is based on a TI TMS320DM6441 SoC, which includes an ARM926EJ-S core and a C64x+ DSP core. This provides sufficient power for the DMP-430 to act as a video recorder as well as player, Diasonic says, though whether recordings support the device's full 480 x 272 resolution was not stated. The device supports audio and video formats including MP3, WMA, WAV, OGG, AAC, DIVX, AVI, ASF, WMV7/8/9, and MPEG1/2/4.

        Diasonic does not state the amount of RAM and flash storage the DPM-430 includes, but the device comes with a 30GB or 60GB hard drive, plus an SD slot said to support cards up to 4GB in capacity. The DPM-430's TV tuner is designed to receive Korean terrestrial digital multimedia broadcasting (T-DMB) signals. As mentioned, the device can act as a video recorder, using the tuner as a source or importing signals via a special 24-pin connector on the side. This connector also provides analog audio in/out, S/PDIF digital audio, and the possibility of input from an external GPS receiver, according to Diasonic.

        Other I/O includes both USB 2.0 host and device ports, so this PMP could presumably accept an external keyboard and mouse. Its 4000 mAh lithium-polymer battery allows it to play video for up to four hours, Diasonic claims, while audio playback with LCD off extends to five hours.

        Features and specifications listed by Diasonic for the DPN-430 include:
        • Processor -- TMS320DM6441 clocked at 512Mz
        • Display -- 4.3-inch touchscreen display with 480 x 272 resolution
        • Storage -- 30GB or 60GB HDD
        • I/O:
          • 1 x USB 2.0 host
          • 1 x USB 2.0 device
          • Audio in/out (on 24-pin connector)
          • S/PDIF (on connector)
          • Video in/out (on connector)
        • Expansion -- SD slot
        • Battery type -- 4000 mAh lithium-polymer battery
        • Battery life -- four hours for video, five hours for audio
        • Dimensions -- 5.9 x 3.1 x 1 inches (149 x 79 x 25mm)
        • Weight -- 11.4 ounces (325g)
        Diasonic did not release pricing or availability information for the DPM-430, but the device appears to be available now in Korea.

        Interestingly, the DPM-430 appears identical to Sharp's SP600 PMP, also newly introduced. The Sharp comes only with the 60GB drive and, with a standard Korean-English dictionary, appears to be targeted at students. The Diasonic version, on the other hand (no pun intended), features just standard Windows CE 5.0 utilities plus "optional" software that includes a Flash game player and an an E-Book reader.


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